Narrator: Hello everyone, and welcome to the podcast “The American Mindset.” This podcast is brought to you by the talented voices of Ryan Maxwell, Ibrahim Muradian, and Kenneth Zich. On this episode we will bring you to the forefront of a controversial issue that is worth of “The American Mindset.” We have compiled five different interviews from people of various races and ethnicities about their views of America over four years after the fatal and tragic day of 9-11. Don’t mind the static that is audible in the background because some people have statickey voices and we shouldn’t judge them. The first subject being interviewed is a man of middle eastern descent.
Interview with Yousif
Ibrahim: Yosif Muradian, a twenty year old born in Baghdad, Iraq. Yosif, what are your views on how the Patriot Act affected your daily and your community in post 9-11 America? Yosif: Personally, the Patriot Act hasn’t affected me at all, and as for the community, I don’t think that it has affected this community much either. I haven’t seen any news, I haven’t heard any stories, I’ve hardly noticed anything. Ibrahim: How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks? Yosif: Well, I think the main way that its benefited us is that there have been no terrorist attacks since September 11th and I don’t think that the importance of that should be downplayed. Who knows if there would have been one or not, but I don’t think the war against terror has brought about the correct way. I think there has been some mistakes. I think in the war in Afganistan we still haven’t caught Osama Bin Laden. Even though, you know, his resources have basically dried up, he doesn’t hold any more power. I think that will be a tremendous boost to our moral, and its been well over four years, and we still haven’t accomplished that. I think the entire war in Iraq has been just a mistake, its just been a mess. The CIA, they keep claiming that the intelligence proved that Suddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and that obviously has yet to be proven correct. Obviously in Iraq, we went in there with the intention of purging the country from this really this sadistic leader. While we succeeded in that, I think the country is really an underground breeding ground for terrorists. I don’t know if we can win that war. For every terrorist we kill it seems these days, who knows how many more are joining up. Especially after Iraq, I think America lost its identity as, if I can use a resuan term, as the baby face of the world. Everbody loved us after 9-11 and as soon as we invaded Iraq, it almost took that away. Who knows, for every terrorist that either quits or gets killed, who knows how many more will take his place? I think the war in Iraq has really, in a negative sense, accomplished that for the bad guys. Ibrahim: Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9-11? If so, what was your reaction to it? Yosif: I think every Arab American has experience something. Of course, for me, it was just a little tease here and there. I just shrugged it off, it wasn’t a big deal. Ibrahim: How has the increased nation security since 9-11 affected your life and community? Yosif: Personally, with my life and this community, I haven’t really seen anything. In terms of family, well my uncle and his family were coming to visit us a few months ago from Germany. They were stopped on Charlotte, and airport in Charlotte, and they were actually held overnight for questioning, for no reason. Out of everybody that came from that flight in Germany, and there were several people who were just coming from Germany to the United States for the first time, they were the only ones who were held. They were very nervous, to say the least. They had two young children with them. They were very scared, very tired. The entire appointment plan to meet us on, I think Wednesday it was, it got changed. They needed to find a hotel. They stayed at the airport for hours. They were extremely exhausted. Basically everything was put on hold for a day and I don’t know for what reason. So the national security level, the increased national security level, certainly has impacted people that I know.
Narrator: Next, we have a white male of Germanic Descent==
Matthew Zich Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The patriot act hasn't affected my life at all, no aspect of it whatsoever. It's soupposed to be where the government can look up stuff in your files that are really just unimportant to anything so im obviously not concerned. Ad for the community, I dont know anybody who lives near me.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
It has given us a lot of comedy; I mean, people definitely make fun of Bush for it. That's a benefit. But basically it hasn't benefited us because almost everyone is against the war and our people and their poeple are dying every day so, those were defintely some setbacks.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Basically I've been seen as ignorant because I'm white and I've never been subjected to racial profiling at all becasue im white, and it has to go with white superiority and stuff like that where white is the 'ideal" race and my reaction to it is that I just brush it off because i think its just a bunch of bullshit.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
If you mean enlist, no. If you are talking about spreading propoganda to support the war effort then no beacause i dont support it, so no.
Narrator: Truly Touching, now let’s continue with a female of British descent, yet without an accent
Breanne Miller Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It hasn’t really affected my everyday life. However, I do feel safer with the government controlling the terrorist acts that are going on.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
I don't think it has benefited our nation beacause countless people have died and we lost what we set out to do by going in that we have not found weapons of mass destruction and we have not found Osama Bin Laden, and those are the things we are looking for.
Narrator: Now onto a hispanic female
Diana Castro Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The Patriot Act has not affected my life at all. As for the community i guess there would be mixed feelings. Some may think the act gets into private bsuiness while others may think it is an aid toward capturing terrorists.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
The war hasn't benefited our nation at all. It actually cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars and we have not found weapons of mass destruction or Osama Bin Laden.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
I personally never have but my brother Juan Castro, who serves in the army, gets teased once in a while for being a hispanic frontline soldier. He along with the rest of my family learn to ignore this becasue in the end he is just another soldier fighting for our coutnry.
Narrator: It’s now time in the show to take a phone call. On the line is Carol from Costa Mesa. What comment do you have for us today?
Caller: Hi, this is my favorite podcast. I just wanted to say that this episode is fantastic and worthy of an “A.”
Narrator: A truly inspiring call from a dedicated listener. Now let’s hear the views of a woman from Iraq.
Intisar Salman Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It did not affect me personally but did affect my family. My brother, when he visited form Germany with his wife and two children, was held forquestioning in Charlotte airport just because he was Iraqi. He had to miss his flight and we were very worried because he had no wayof contacting us. It is a good in a way because it prevents terrorism but is bothersome to innocent citizens.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
After 9/11, the thoery of the war seemed noble but America did not accomplisehd what it set out to do. Osama Bin Laden has not been captured yet and we didn't find weapons of mass destruction. Also, my country Iraq is now set in poverty. They live without electricity and gas, and there is no security. So the war has been brought about in a wrong way.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Yes, after 9/11 a co-worker of mine seemed troubled and when I asked her what was wrong she told me, "No offense but we dislike your people." My reaction was that it bothered me but I ignored it baceuase I know it was the terrorists who commited the crimes and not my people.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It hasn't affected me perosnally but as I mentioned before when my brother was held for questioning in Charlotte airport. Also, with my friends and relatives, when they had to travel overseas, the security mesaures and insepction took several hours. These instances seem unneccesary and somewhat racist.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
There have been a lot of opportunities for me and any Iraqi to go and work as a translator for the amry but i turned those all down because i feel our duty in Iraq is uncalled for in the first place and im agaisnt the war.
Ending
Narrator: Now that interview concludes our look into post 9-11 views of America. Wait one second! Is it possible, President Bush just walked into our high tech studio. I should ask him a question. Mr. President, what are your plans for fighting terrorism.
President Bush: We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction.
Narrator: Well said Mr. President, you would have my vote if this wasn’t your last term in office. Well, that’s all we have for today. We will be finishing the show live momentarily from Mr. Conlay’s classroom. Bye everyone and get ready for a live show.
Original Interview Transcript
Ibrahim: Yosif Muradian, a twenty year old born in Baghdad, Iraq. Yosif, what are your views on how the Patriot Act affected your daily and your community in post 9-11 America?
Yousif: Personally, the Patriot Act hasn’t affected me at all, and as for the community, I don’t think that it has affected this community much either. I haven’t seen any news, I haven’t heard any stories, I’ve hardly noticed anything.
Ibrahim: Overall, do you think that the Act has been an asset to our nation?
Yousif: No, I do not think that.
Ibrahim: How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
Yousif: Well, I think the main way that its benefited us is that there have been no terrorist attacks since September 11th and I don’t think that the importance of that should be downplayed. Who knows if there would have been one or not, but I don’t think the war against terror has brought about the correct way. I think there has been some mistakes. I think in the war in Afghanistan we still haven’t caught Osama Bin Laden. Even though, you know, his resources have basically dried up, he doesn’t hold any more power. I think that will be a tremendous boost to our moral, and its been well over four years, and we still haven’t accomplished that. I think the entire war in Iraq has been just a mistake, its just been a mess. The CIA, they keep claiming that the intelligence proved that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and that obviously has yet to be proven correct. Obviously in Iraq, we went in there with the intention of purging the country from this really this sadistic leader. While we succeeded in that, I think the country is really an underground breeding ground for terrorists. I don’t know if we can win that war. For every terrorist we kill it seems these days, who knows how many more are joining up. Especially after Iraq, I think America lost its identity as, if I can use a wrestling term, as the baby face of the world. Everybody loved us after 9-11 and as soon as we invaded Iraq, it almost took that away. Who knows, for every terrorist that either quits or gets killed, who knows how many more will take his place? I think the war in Iraq has really, in a negative sense, accomplished that for the bad guys.
Ibrahim: Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9-11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Yousif: I think every Arab American has experience something. Of course, for me, it was just a little tease here and there. I just shrugged it off, it wasn’t a big deal.
Ibrahim: How has the increased nation security since 9-11 affected your life and community?
Yousif: Personally, with my life and this community, I haven’t really seen anything. In terms of family, well my uncle and his family were coming to visit us a few months ago from Germany. They were stopped on Charlotte, and airport in Charlotte, and they were actually held overnight for questioning, for no reason. Out of everybody that came from that flight in Germany, and there were several people who were just coming from Germany to the United States for the first time, they were the only ones who were held. They were very nervous, to say the least. They had two young children with them. They were very scared, very tired. The entire appointment plan to meet us on, I think Wednesday it was, it got changed. They needed to find a hotel. They stayed at the airport for hours. They were extremely exhausted. Basically everything was put on hold for a day and I don’t know for what reason. So the national security level, the increased national security level, certainly has impacted people that I know.
Ibrahim: Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
Yousif: I can honestly say I have not considered that.
Ibrahim: Thank you Yousif.
Matthew Zich Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The patriot act hasn't affected my life at all, no aspect of it whatsoever. It's supposed to be where the government can look up stuff in your files that are really just unimportant to anything so I’m obviously not concerned. As for the community, I don’t know anybody who lives near me.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
It has given us a lot of comedy; I mean, people definitely make fun of Bush for it. That's a benefit. But basically it hasn't benefited us because almost everyone is against the war and our people and their people are dying every day so, those were definitely some setbacks.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Basically I've been seen as ignorant because I'm white and I've never been subjected to racial profiling at all because I’m white, and it has to go with white superiority and stuff like that where white is the 'ideal" race and my reaction to it is that I just brush it off because I think its just a bunch of bullshit.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It took a while to go through John Wayne Airport. That’s about it.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
If you mean enlist, no. If you are talking about spreading propaganda to support the war effort then no because I don’t support it, so no.
Breanne Miller Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It hasn’t really affected my everyday life. However, I do feel safer with the government controlling the terrorist acts that are going on.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
I don't think it has benefited our nation because countless people have died and we lost what we set out to do by going in that we have not found weapons of mass destruction and we have not found Osama Bin Laden, and those are the things we are looking for.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
No I have not been subjected to racial profiling since 9/11.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
The airports have been a complete mess and I once actually missed a flight.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
No I have not.
Diana Castro Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The Patriot Act has not affected my life at all. As for the community I guess there would be mixed feelings. Some may think the act gets into private business while others may think it is an aid toward capturing terrorists.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
The war hasn't benefited our nation at all. It actually cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars and we have not found weapons of mass destruction or Osama Bin Laden.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
I personally never have but my brother Juan Castro, who serves in the army, gets teased once in a while for being a Hispanic frontline soldier. He along with the rest of my family learned to ignore this because in the end he is just another soldier fighting for our country.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It has not affected my life personally.
-And for the community?
I'm sure traveling has become a lot harder because the airports have much tighter security.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
No I have not.
Intisar Salman Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It did not affect me personally but did affect my family. My brother, when he visited form Germany with his wife and two children, was held for questioning in Charlotte airport just because he was Iraqi. He had to miss his flight and we were very worried because he had no way of contacting us. It is good in a way because it prevents terrorism but is bothersome to innocent citizens.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
After 9/11, the theory of the war seemed noble but America did not accomplished what it set out to do. Osama Bin Laden has not been captured yet and we didn't find weapons of mass destruction. Also, my country Iraq is now set in poverty. They live without electricity and gas, and there is no security. So the war has been brought about in a wrong way.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Yes, after 9/11 a co-worker of mine seemed troubled and when I asked her what was wrong she told me, "No offense but we dislike your people." My reaction was that it bothered me but I ignored it because I know it was the terrorists who committed the crimes and not my people.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It hasn't affected me personally but as I mentioned before when my brother was held for questioning in Charlotte airport. Also, with my friends and relatives, when they had to travel overseas, the security measures and inspection took several hours. These instances seem unnecessary and somewhat racist.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
There have been a lot of opportunities for me and any Iraqi to go and work as a translator for the army but I turned those all down because I feel our duty in Iraq is uncalled for in the first place and I’m against the war.
Final Podcast Write- Up
These five interviews our group has acquired has given us much in depth insight into American opinion about our country's state approximately four years after 9-11. We have noticed many changes in American attitude toward the War on Terror. The first is that many Americans who were once for the war are now opposed to it. A logical and probable explanation for this is that people are all for the ideals of ending terrorism, but don't want to put in the effort to make ideals reality. The American populace's attitude toward terror has also dramatically changed. During the Clinton administration, there was no crackdown on terror and hardly any recognition of it. Clinton had numerous oportunities to kill Osama Bin Laden, yet he never exercised his executive abilities and terminated him. Blood thirsty murders such as Bin Laden were hardly seen as a threat. Now, even though thier is criticism about now have captured him, most people now understand that worthless scumbags such as Bin Laden are terrorists and don't deserve to live. Our reactions to these changes are positive. Americans are beginning to understand what terrorism truly is now that it has struck so close to home. Our President's approval ratings are on the rise, which clearly shows that people are finally seeing through the liberal confusion and realizing the good that is taking place with respect to the United States war effort in the middle east. Our final thought is that these interviews gave us valuable insight into opinions about post 9-11 America and and the War on Terror. The experiences gained by this project will help us communicate and absorb information more efficiently and to be more involved in current events of global importance.
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Write UpOriginal Interview Transcripts
Final Podcast Transcript
Final Podcast Transcript
Narrator: Hello everyone, and welcome to the podcast “The American Mindset.” This podcast is brought to you by the talented voices of Ryan Maxwell, Ibrahim Muradian, and Kenneth Zich. On this episode we will bring you to the forefront of a controversial issue that is worth of “The American Mindset.” We have compiled five different interviews from people of various races and ethnicities about their views of America over four years after the fatal and tragic day of 9-11. Don’t mind the static that is audible in the background because some people have statickey voices and we shouldn’t judge them. The first subject being interviewed is a man of middle eastern descent.
Interview with Yousif
Ibrahim: Yosif Muradian, a twenty year old born in Baghdad, Iraq. Yosif, what are your views on how the Patriot Act affected your daily and your community in post 9-11 America?
Yosif: Personally, the Patriot Act hasn’t affected me at all, and as for the community, I don’t think that it has affected this community much either. I haven’t seen any news, I haven’t heard any stories, I’ve hardly noticed anything.
Ibrahim: How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
Yosif: Well, I think the main way that its benefited us is that there have been no terrorist attacks since September 11th and I don’t think that the importance of that should be downplayed. Who knows if there would have been one or not, but I don’t think the war against terror has brought about the correct way. I think there has been some mistakes. I think in the war in Afganistan we still haven’t caught Osama Bin Laden. Even though, you know, his resources have basically dried up, he doesn’t hold any more power. I think that will be a tremendous boost to our moral, and its been well over four years, and we still haven’t accomplished that. I think the entire war in Iraq has been just a mistake, its just been a mess. The CIA, they keep claiming that the intelligence proved that Suddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and that obviously has yet to be proven correct. Obviously in Iraq, we went in there with the intention of purging the country from this really this sadistic leader. While we succeeded in that, I think the country is really an underground breeding ground for terrorists. I don’t know if we can win that war. For every terrorist we kill it seems these days, who knows how many more are joining up. Especially after Iraq, I think America lost its identity as, if I can use a resuan term, as the baby face of the world. Everbody loved us after 9-11 and as soon as we invaded Iraq, it almost took that away. Who knows, for every terrorist that either quits or gets killed, who knows how many more will take his place? I think the war in Iraq has really, in a negative sense, accomplished that for the bad guys.
Ibrahim: Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9-11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Yosif: I think every Arab American has experience something. Of course, for me, it was just a little tease here and there. I just shrugged it off, it wasn’t a big deal.
Ibrahim: How has the increased nation security since 9-11 affected your life and community?
Yosif: Personally, with my life and this community, I haven’t really seen anything. In terms of family, well my uncle and his family were coming to visit us a few months ago from Germany. They were stopped on Charlotte, and airport in Charlotte, and they were actually held overnight for questioning, for no reason. Out of everybody that came from that flight in Germany, and there were several people who were just coming from Germany to the United States for the first time, they were the only ones who were held. They were very nervous, to say the least. They had two young children with them. They were very scared, very tired. The entire appointment plan to meet us on, I think Wednesday it was, it got changed. They needed to find a hotel. They stayed at the airport for hours. They were extremely exhausted. Basically everything was put on hold for a day and I don’t know for what reason. So the national security level, the increased national security level, certainly has impacted people that I know.
Narrator: Next, we have a white male of Germanic Descent==
Matthew Zich Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The patriot act hasn't affected my life at all, no aspect of it whatsoever. It's soupposed to be where the government can look up stuff in your files that are really just unimportant to anything so im obviously not concerned. Ad for the community, I dont know anybody who lives near me.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
It has given us a lot of comedy; I mean, people definitely make fun of Bush for it. That's a benefit. But basically it hasn't benefited us because almost everyone is against the war and our people and their poeple are dying every day so, those were defintely some setbacks.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Basically I've been seen as ignorant because I'm white and I've never been subjected to racial profiling at all becasue im white, and it has to go with white superiority and stuff like that where white is the 'ideal" race and my reaction to it is that I just brush it off because i think its just a bunch of bullshit.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
If you mean enlist, no. If you are talking about spreading propoganda to support the war effort then no beacause i dont support it, so no.
Narrator: Truly Touching, now let’s continue with a female of British descent, yet without an accent
Breanne Miller Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It hasn’t really affected my everyday life. However, I do feel safer with the government controlling the terrorist acts that are going on.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
I don't think it has benefited our nation beacause countless people have died and we lost what we set out to do by going in that we have not found weapons of mass destruction and we have not found Osama Bin Laden, and those are the things we are looking for.
Narrator: Now onto a hispanic female
Diana Castro Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The Patriot Act has not affected my life at all. As for the community i guess there would be mixed feelings. Some may think the act gets into private bsuiness while others may think it is an aid toward capturing terrorists.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
The war hasn't benefited our nation at all. It actually cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars and we have not found weapons of mass destruction or Osama Bin Laden.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
I personally never have but my brother Juan Castro, who serves in the army, gets teased once in a while for being a hispanic frontline soldier. He along with the rest of my family learn to ignore this becasue in the end he is just another soldier fighting for our coutnry.
Narrator: It’s now time in the show to take a phone call. On the line is Carol from Costa Mesa. What comment do you have for us today?
Caller: Hi, this is my favorite podcast. I just wanted to say that this episode is fantastic and worthy of an “A.”
Narrator: A truly inspiring call from a dedicated listener. Now let’s hear the views of a woman from Iraq.
Intisar Salman Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It did not affect me personally but did affect my family. My brother, when he visited form Germany with his wife and two children, was held forquestioning in Charlotte airport just because he was Iraqi. He had to miss his flight and we were very worried because he had no wayof contacting us. It is a good in a way because it prevents terrorism but is bothersome to innocent citizens.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
After 9/11, the thoery of the war seemed noble but America did not accomplisehd what it set out to do. Osama Bin Laden has not been captured yet and we didn't find weapons of mass destruction. Also, my country Iraq is now set in poverty. They live without electricity and gas, and there is no security. So the war has been brought about in a wrong way.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Yes, after 9/11 a co-worker of mine seemed troubled and when I asked her what was wrong she told me, "No offense but we dislike your people." My reaction was that it bothered me but I ignored it baceuase I know it was the terrorists who commited the crimes and not my people.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It hasn't affected me perosnally but as I mentioned before when my brother was held for questioning in Charlotte airport. Also, with my friends and relatives, when they had to travel overseas, the security mesaures and insepction took several hours. These instances seem unneccesary and somewhat racist.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
There have been a lot of opportunities for me and any Iraqi to go and work as a translator for the amry but i turned those all down because i feel our duty in Iraq is uncalled for in the first place and im agaisnt the war.
Ending
Narrator: Now that interview concludes our look into post 9-11 views of America. Wait one second! Is it possible, President Bush just walked into our high tech studio. I should ask him a question. Mr. President, what are your plans for fighting terrorism.
President Bush: We will work closely with our coalition to deny terrorists and their state sponsors the materials, technology, and expertise to make and deliver weapons of mass destruction.
Narrator: Well said Mr. President, you would have my vote if this wasn’t your last term in office. Well, that’s all we have for today. We will be finishing the show live momentarily from Mr. Conlay’s classroom. Bye everyone and get ready for a live show.
Original Interview Transcript
Ibrahim: Yosif Muradian, a twenty year old born in Baghdad, Iraq. Yosif, what are your views on how the Patriot Act affected your daily and your community in post 9-11 America?
Yousif: Personally, the Patriot Act hasn’t affected me at all, and as for the community, I don’t think that it has affected this community much either. I haven’t seen any news, I haven’t heard any stories, I’ve hardly noticed anything.
Ibrahim: Overall, do you think that the Act has been an asset to our nation?
Yousif: No, I do not think that.
Ibrahim: How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
Yousif: Well, I think the main way that its benefited us is that there have been no terrorist attacks since September 11th and I don’t think that the importance of that should be downplayed. Who knows if there would have been one or not, but I don’t think the war against terror has brought about the correct way. I think there has been some mistakes. I think in the war in Afghanistan we still haven’t caught Osama Bin Laden. Even though, you know, his resources have basically dried up, he doesn’t hold any more power. I think that will be a tremendous boost to our moral, and its been well over four years, and we still haven’t accomplished that. I think the entire war in Iraq has been just a mistake, its just been a mess. The CIA, they keep claiming that the intelligence proved that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and that obviously has yet to be proven correct. Obviously in Iraq, we went in there with the intention of purging the country from this really this sadistic leader. While we succeeded in that, I think the country is really an underground breeding ground for terrorists. I don’t know if we can win that war. For every terrorist we kill it seems these days, who knows how many more are joining up. Especially after Iraq, I think America lost its identity as, if I can use a wrestling term, as the baby face of the world. Everybody loved us after 9-11 and as soon as we invaded Iraq, it almost took that away. Who knows, for every terrorist that either quits or gets killed, who knows how many more will take his place? I think the war in Iraq has really, in a negative sense, accomplished that for the bad guys.
Ibrahim: Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9-11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Yousif: I think every Arab American has experience something. Of course, for me, it was just a little tease here and there. I just shrugged it off, it wasn’t a big deal.
Ibrahim: How has the increased nation security since 9-11 affected your life and community?
Yousif: Personally, with my life and this community, I haven’t really seen anything. In terms of family, well my uncle and his family were coming to visit us a few months ago from Germany. They were stopped on Charlotte, and airport in Charlotte, and they were actually held overnight for questioning, for no reason. Out of everybody that came from that flight in Germany, and there were several people who were just coming from Germany to the United States for the first time, they were the only ones who were held. They were very nervous, to say the least. They had two young children with them. They were very scared, very tired. The entire appointment plan to meet us on, I think Wednesday it was, it got changed. They needed to find a hotel. They stayed at the airport for hours. They were extremely exhausted. Basically everything was put on hold for a day and I don’t know for what reason. So the national security level, the increased national security level, certainly has impacted people that I know.
Ibrahim: Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
Yousif: I can honestly say I have not considered that.
Ibrahim: Thank you Yousif.
Matthew Zich Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The patriot act hasn't affected my life at all, no aspect of it whatsoever. It's supposed to be where the government can look up stuff in your files that are really just unimportant to anything so I’m obviously not concerned. As for the community, I don’t know anybody who lives near me.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
It has given us a lot of comedy; I mean, people definitely make fun of Bush for it. That's a benefit. But basically it hasn't benefited us because almost everyone is against the war and our people and their people are dying every day so, those were definitely some setbacks.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Basically I've been seen as ignorant because I'm white and I've never been subjected to racial profiling at all because I’m white, and it has to go with white superiority and stuff like that where white is the 'ideal" race and my reaction to it is that I just brush it off because I think its just a bunch of bullshit.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It took a while to go through John Wayne Airport. That’s about it.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
If you mean enlist, no. If you are talking about spreading propaganda to support the war effort then no because I don’t support it, so no.
Breanne Miller Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It hasn’t really affected my everyday life. However, I do feel safer with the government controlling the terrorist acts that are going on.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
I don't think it has benefited our nation because countless people have died and we lost what we set out to do by going in that we have not found weapons of mass destruction and we have not found Osama Bin Laden, and those are the things we are looking for.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
No I have not been subjected to racial profiling since 9/11.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
The airports have been a complete mess and I once actually missed a flight.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
No I have not.
Diana Castro Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
The Patriot Act has not affected my life at all. As for the community I guess there would be mixed feelings. Some may think the act gets into private business while others may think it is an aid toward capturing terrorists.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
The war hasn't benefited our nation at all. It actually cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars and we have not found weapons of mass destruction or Osama Bin Laden.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
I personally never have but my brother Juan Castro, who serves in the army, gets teased once in a while for being a Hispanic frontline soldier. He along with the rest of my family learned to ignore this because in the end he is just another soldier fighting for our country.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It has not affected my life personally.
-And for the community?
I'm sure traveling has become a lot harder because the airports have much tighter security.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
No I have not.
Intisar Salman Interview
1. What are your views on how the Patriot Act has affected your daily life and your community in post-9/11 America?
It did not affect me personally but did affect my family. My brother, when he visited form Germany with his wife and two children, was held for questioning in Charlotte airport just because he was Iraqi. He had to miss his flight and we were very worried because he had no way of contacting us. It is good in a way because it prevents terrorism but is bothersome to innocent citizens.
2. How do you think the war against terror has benefited our nation? If you believe it has not, then what were its setbacks?
After 9/11, the theory of the war seemed noble but America did not accomplished what it set out to do. Osama Bin Laden has not been captured yet and we didn't find weapons of mass destruction. Also, my country Iraq is now set in poverty. They live without electricity and gas, and there is no security. So the war has been brought about in a wrong way.
3. Have you ever been subjected to racial profiling since the incident of 9/11? If so, what was your reaction to it?
Yes, after 9/11 a co-worker of mine seemed troubled and when I asked her what was wrong she told me, "No offense but we dislike your people." My reaction was that it bothered me but I ignored it because I know it was the terrorists who committed the crimes and not my people.
4. How has the increased national security since 9/11 affected your life and community?
It hasn't affected me personally but as I mentioned before when my brother was held for questioning in Charlotte airport. Also, with my friends and relatives, when they had to travel overseas, the security measures and inspection took several hours. These instances seem unnecessary and somewhat racist.
5. Have you ever considered volunteering in the war effort to support our nation in any way?
There have been a lot of opportunities for me and any Iraqi to go and work as a translator for the army but I turned those all down because I feel our duty in Iraq is uncalled for in the first place and I’m against the war.
Final Podcast Write- Up
These five interviews our group has acquired has given us much in depth insight into American opinion about our country's state approximately four years after 9-11. We have noticed many changes in American attitude toward the War on Terror. The first is that many Americans who were once for the war are now opposed to it. A logical and probable explanation for this is that people are all for the ideals of ending terrorism, but don't want to put in the effort to make ideals reality. The American populace's attitude toward terror has also dramatically changed. During the Clinton administration, there was no crackdown on terror and hardly any recognition of it. Clinton had numerous oportunities to kill Osama Bin Laden, yet he never exercised his executive abilities and terminated him. Blood thirsty murders such as Bin Laden were hardly seen as a threat. Now, even though thier is criticism about now have captured him, most people now understand that worthless scumbags such as Bin Laden are terrorists and don't deserve to live. Our reactions to these changes are positive. Americans are beginning to understand what terrorism truly is now that it has struck so close to home. Our President's approval ratings are on the rise, which clearly shows that people are finally seeing through the liberal confusion and realizing the good that is taking place with respect to the United States war effort in the middle east. Our final thought is that these interviews gave us valuable insight into opinions about post 9-11 America and and the War on Terror. The experiences gained by this project will help us communicate and absorb information more efficiently and to be more involved in current events of global importance.